Inaugural Ahmadiyya Muslim Peace Prize Awarded to Lord Eric Avebury

LONDON, March 22, 2010 - At a Peace Symposium held at the Baitul Futuh Mosque on 20 March 2010 the
Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, spoke at
length about how to achieve global peace. He also presented Lord Eric Avebury
with the inaugural Ahmadiyya Peace Prize in recognition of his continued
efforts to protect human rights across the world.

Various Parliamentarians took the opportunity to praise the Ahmadiyya
Muslim Jamaat's consistent message of peace, tolerance and respect as well as
its commitment to serving humanity. Laura Moffatt MP, said that she believed
that 'there cannot be a single soul who does not support the work of the
Ahmadiyya Muslim community', whilst Justine Greening MP, said the Ahmadiyya
Muslim Jamaat was actively engaged in 'breaking down barriers'.

During his keynote address Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad discussed the
major obstacles impeding long lasting world peace: the oppression of minority
groups; corruption; the failure of governments to prevent cruelty and the
failure of the United Nations to work as a united organisation where all
countries were equal. The only solution, he said, lay in absolute justice and
equity.

Speaking about the Middle East, he said that the Israeli offensive would
have grave consequences. Although Palestine may not be blameless, Israeli
responses were wholly disproportionate. He said:

"Can those innocent children who saw their homes being destroyed; who saw
their brothers and sisters being killed without any reason; who saw their
helpless parents targeted whilst pleading for their lives; can those innocent
children ever erase those horrific scenes from their memories."

His Holiness went on to criticise the basic failures of the United
Nations. By allowing the five permanent members of the Security Council to
maintain a right to veto denied absolutely the requirement for justice and
equality.

His Holiness concluded by responding to criticism of the Hijab and
Minarets. He said:

"Will a woman wearing or not wearing a veil affect the economy of any
country or the world? Will the wearing or not wearing of a veil or having or
not having a minaret improve or harm the peace of the world? If it does then
I will be the first to accept it because Islam teaches that you should be
willing to sacrifice something small for the greater good."

Contact: Abid Khan, Tel: +44(0)7795490682, Email: press at ahmadiyya.org.uk .